DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College revealed Katie Hannah, Office of First Year Experience manager, as Staff Member of the Year at SMC’s sixth annual Retirement and Recognition Program in Mathews Conference Center East on the Dowagiac campus.

Finalists included Becky Craft, Human Resources generalist; John Eberhart director of Building and Grounds; Kris Lefor, first year advisor and Branden Pompey, Student Activity Center assistant manager.

Hannah, also nominated in 2018, leads the new area within Student Services, pouring considerable energy into the first Welcome Week last summer.

“She wanted this experience to be one the students would remember and want to attend next year,” Hannah’s nominator wrote. “She wanted to make sure everybody had fun and felt welcomed by SMC. Excellence with a personal touch was delivered because many students commented on how much they enjoyed their first experience on campus.”

In regards to the finalists, one nominator recognized Craft’s work.

“[Craft] is always pleasant and seems happy to answer our many questions about SMC benefits. She either knows the answer or will find it quickly,” her nominator wrote. “I imagine that working in human resources can sometimes be challenging. Becky does a great job of being welcoming.”

For Pompey, a nominator said the Student Activity Center assistant manager has a dedication to the school.

“[Pompey] absolutely supports SMC’s core value, knowledge for all,” his nomination stated. “He believes we should engage every student and help them achieve his or her goal. He exemplifies this through everything he does, but especially acting as a mentor to his student workers. His commitment to his position and desire to expand it to include areas he is passionate about, such as civic engagement, is unmatched. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Branden takes the line in his job description, ‘Other duties as assigned,’ as a challenge!”

Eberhart, whose Maintenance Department won Team of the Year, was also recognized for his passion in his nomination.

“[Eberhart] is always looking to provide the best service and products he can. He works well with our vendors to make sure they, too, bring quality to our campus,” the nominator wrote. “Throughout the entire Nursing and Health Education Building project, he was our ‘eagle eye’ on the contractors, always making sure work they did met his standards. He often asked for things to be redone and held them to the quality he always demands.”

Service Awards were also presented to the following recipients:

• Dr. Mary Young-Marcks, sociology instructor received a 35-year Service Award

• Jeanne Luthjohan, senior information system analyst, received a 25-year Service Award

• Tony Walker, Building and Grounds; Michelle Gibson, Testing Center assistant; and Melissa Eblin, switchboard operator all received 15- year service awards

• Brent Brewer, chief of staff; Lori Collins, financial aid coordinator; Dr. Jeffrey Dennis, history instructor; Kathie Gries, Career Planning Center manager; Cathy Luthringer, School of Business and Advanced Technology administrative assistant; Stephanie Lyons, senior staff accountant; Michelle Orlaske, marketing manager; Yolanda Roche, nursing instructor; and Jason Smith, Niles Campus executive director all receied 10-year Service Awards

• Tom Atkinson, chief of staff; John Eby, senior writer and media relations coordinator; Michele Harlow, group fitness instructor; Dr. Donald Ludman, psychology instructor; Mark Pelfrey, mathematics instructor; Breanna Rees, staff accountant; Jeff Robson, automotive instructor; and Julie Zabriskie, health information instructor all received five-year Service Awards

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter community college founded in 1964. The college delivers above-average graduation/transfer rates compared to other community colleges nationally and student college-level course success that is consistently in the top 25 percent of two-year colleges nationally. SMC strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services that meet the needs of students and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Learn more at swmich.edu or email mediarelations@swmich.edu.